Where was your first travel experience and how has it left a lasting impact on you?
My first travel experience abroad was in my final year at university. I was required to study abroad as part of my degree requirements so I chose Frankfurt Oder, Germany. It’s a rather tiny town about an hour away from Berlin. Before then I’d never really left Texas so traveling across the world was absolutely amazing. I fell in love with the different culture, language, food, people, history, everything. It made me feel so connected to others that led a very different life than I did. It gave me a different perspective of the world, America, others, and myself. It fueled my ambition to travel even more in the following weeks after and shape my decision to live abroad.
Our past participants Justin, JD, Ryan (from left to right) enjoying their time in London.
What inspired you to get involved in the intern/work abroad industry?
After travelling abroad in Germany, I knew that I wanted to take it a step forward and try and figure how to work abroad as well. Studying abroad gave me more of a global perspective so I was curious to know how interning abroad would help me grow personally and professionally. Boy, it helped! It gave me so much exposure to companies with different work cultures and environments, a unique skill set, and open the door to working on an International scale. That being said, I begin to truly understand the value of interning/working abroad. So, I wanted to help others learn and participate in working abroad as well.
My view from the office rooftop.
How did you end up working for Capital Placement?
I came to Capital Placement interested in doing an internship abroad in London. They were known for helping recent graduates participate in a six-month internship program in both London and Singapore. I was really impressed with the company and got the opportunity to interview with them specifically. Luckily, I got an internship with them. I started out as their business development intern and have been able to really grow and take on more responsibility since then. They have been fantastic with helping me with my transition from the US to the UK.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
A typical day at work involves me focusing on our content marketing and future strategies. I also oversee our Marketing metrics and other business metrics to find where we can further improve in certain areas. If I’m not focusing on that then I’m focusing on our website, SEO, and social media platforms.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?
The most fulfilling aspect of my job is when our interns finalize their details on their internship. They are so excited and happy to start and it’s a warm feeling for me to know I helped them get there. Also, I get so excited for them too because I know how great it will be for them.
Where do most of your applicants come from?
Most of our applicants come from the United States, Canada, India, and Hong Kong.
Myself at the Lavender fields outside of London. It was just an amazing field of so much lavender.
What are the most important qualities of a participant to possess when interning or working abroad?
I think the most important qualities to have while interning abroad is to be open-minded, curious, positive, independent and maintain a sense of perseverance. Having these qualities will allow participants to really embrace the new, the fun, the not so fun, and really flourish from it all.
What is your best piece of advice for a prospective participant?
I would say to embrace the unknown and really understand why you are choosing to intern abroad. If you go into your internship with an open-mind and an understanding of why you choose to do it then I believe it will really help shape the outcome of your internship experience and the decisions you make during it
Do you have anything exciting or new placements or changes coming in 2020?
Yes! We are working on a 12-month placement involving three major cities in three different countries. It will be three different internships located in some of the top cities in the world. It will give our participants the ability to see the global markets from different perspectives and understand how it connects together and where it doesn’t. Additionally, they get to personally experience some of the global capitals of the world while interning with thriving and growing companies. It’s definitely the ultimate internship experience.
If you could choose a placement yourself, what would you choose and why?
I would do our six-month graduate internship in London. I really like this program because it is a sustainable internship with it being a paid internship. It also fully immerses you into the London work culture and lifestyle. You truly get a full understanding of what is means to be a part of the company and not just as an intern. I think the length of it, the fact that it’s paid and that you are doing the same work as graduates are doing really gives you an advantage over your peers and a great internship experience.
